The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

13.

"Maia, what the hell has gotten into you?" The pale skin of Amber's face burned red. "Do you know how worried we've been?" 

Maia came home to find them sitting expectantly at the kitchen table. From the moment she walked in the door, her mother's gaze literally pinned her to the floor. She couldn't move even if she wanted to.

Maia shrugged, "I'm back, aren't I? I dunno what you guys are freaking out about? I'm almost eighteen and It's not like anything could have happened to me."

Amber balked, "That's not the point! Age doesn't make you an adult Maia! And you are not invulnerable!"She shouted in near hysteria. 

"What your mother means, Princess is that this was unusual for you. So, naturally, we were worried. With or without powers you are still our daughter," Always the peacemaker and voice of reason, her father chimed in. 

He moved just behind Amber, silently rubbing her tense shoulders. Amber's eyes flashed brightly. Maia felt her limbs grow heavy and her powers dwindle to nothing.  

 "I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. We got tired of studying so we went to a party. We were having fun and the time got away from us. Nothing else happened. I promise," She pleaded, hoping that her mother did not take the drastic step of rifling through her thoughts.

Amber's abilities were always a marvel to Maia. She was the perfect disciplinarian. Able to shut Maia down on multiple levels. With absolute sight, her gaze could pierce wood, stone, and flesh. It could even see beyond the veil of space and time to reach the divine.

Her advanced electrokinesis and telekinesis could shut down nearly any superpowered being. And with her telepathy, all she need to is peer into Maia's eyes and learn everything she needed to know. So Maia never bothered keeping any secrets.

Amber stared at her straight-faced, "I believe you." 

Tension visibly drained from Maia's body. 

"But," Amber announced, "You're grounded for two weeks."

"Two weeks!" Maia repeated. They were going all out for this ass-whooping. Without abilities, Maia would have to do everything the slow way; the hard way...the human way. 

"Say more and we'll make it three," Amber challenged.

Brom stood behind her swiping the flat of his hand back and forth under his chin. Attempting to give Maia an overt symbol to cut the noise or she was in for a world of shit. 

Maia's eyes cut quickly to Brom then back to Amber picking up on his ques, "I mean thank you, Mom, for being so understanding and I'm sorry."

Amber's gaze softened, "Good. During the two weeks' time, you will also be without your abilities."

"But-"

Amber's eyebrows shot up. She raised her index finger, shutting down any further argument. "That is enough from you Maia Erinti. I better come home to a spotless house for the next two weeks with dinner piping hot. Do you hear me, young lady?" 

Maia's head hung in defeat, "Yes ma'am." 

"Now, off to bed." She stood, turning to her husband. "Both of you." She loving patted his chest before sauntering out of the kitchen.

Maia felt the invisible force keeping her in place relent. She sighed, "I guess I got off light?" 

"You damn right you did. I had to convince her not to send you to an all-girls prep school," Brom chuckled before coming to squeeze Maia in his warm embrace. 

"You know we love you, kid." 

Maia's nuzzled against his chest, "I love you too, Dad." 

"I bet you're hungry," He said shuffling around the kitchen, grabbing two cereal bowls in the process. 

"Cocoa pebbles, Princess?" He offered the half-empty box.

"How do you know me so well?" She giggled, leaned forward to rest her elbows on the kitchen counter. 

"I'm your father. I've known you since you were born."  He turned to meal prep, "You know, I'm kind of glad you're doing normal teen stuff. Going out with your friends. Getting into trouble." He turned to face her, "But not too much trouble."

Maia chuckled, "Yeah. I'm glad I went. I had more fun than I thought I would." She fiddled with her fingers debating on whether she should ask about the strange experiences she's been having with the Lowell boys.

"Maia, honey. Just ask. Stop chewing it over and ask." He smiled pushing a full bowl of cereal toward her then dumping milk in the bowl. 

"Dad, you and Mom are the only two people I've ever know who are kinda like me." 

"Yeah and..." Brom said shoveling Cocoa puffs into his mouth. 

Maia played with her spoon absentmindedly, "My friends, Miles, and Chance, I've noticed some weird stuff happens when I'm around them."

With a mouth full of food, Brom grimaced, "What kind of weird stuff?"

"Around Chance, I feel this heat. I get annoyed and frustrated whenever he's within ten feet of me. The only way I can get away from it when he's around is with Miles. Miles only has to touch me and everything feels calm, quiet, and tranquil."  She shook her head dismissively, "Maybe I'm reading too much into this." 

Brom put his bowl down. He placed a loving hand on her shoulder. "Maia, you aren't. There are such rare people. They don't have an official name but I've always called them Fain. These unique individuals are usually born without abilities of their own but they can enhance the powers of others. In even rarer cases, they can only enhance the power of one very special person. This type of enhancement usually doesn't last very long but it can be useful in a pinch. Is it possible that both these young men are Fains with different latent abilities? Yes, I suppose it is. But, I suggest keeping this information to yourself and being even more careful around them with your powers." 

Somewhere in her mind, Maia already knew this to be true. Hearing her father's words, it all just made sense. 

"Thank you, Dad. I will be." Her smile fell, "At least for the next two weeks I won't have to worry about it at all." 

"Thank your lucky stars for that. Night, Princess. Get some shut-eye." He pressed his lips to her forehead and made his way up the stairs.